Debussy - La Mer Nocturnes

Both La Mer and Nocturnes illustrate the type of music which is known as Impressionism. This term, borrowed from painting, applies to a piece of music whose sensuous sounds give an impression of something without in any way clearly depicting it. Thus DeBussy's La Mer is not a sea-picture even in the sense that Mendelssohn's Fingal's Cave Overture is; it is an emotional tone-picture, the subtle intensity of which requires a sympathetic approach from the listener. The word Nocturne has come in music to mean many things, particularly the piano pieces of Chopin. DeBussy, however, did not visualize in his Nocturnes the romantic and lyrical night picture of Chopin. Written for orchestra and in the last one for a female chorus as well, they employ DeBussy's expressionist technique.